I need to make a request of the gym I belong to. How can I best approach this?
Asked by
Facade (
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November 5th, 2011
I signed up at a local gym in February, and at that time, I paid for a year’s membership in full, as well as my boyfriend’s membership. I haven’t gone back at all since maybe March. I’m thinking of asking them if they can extend my membership for the months that I didn’t use their facility without charging me extra money.
How can I best approach this situation?
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9 Answers
Just walk in and ask. I suggest you don’t do it over the phone. I suspect they will agree, since you aren’t asking for a refund.
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They will probably try to sell you an extension at a “reduced” rate. All they can say is no. If you have a great story you might have a better chance, but one thing IS for sure, if you don’t ask, you won’t get.
@Judi What do you think they would think is a great story?
@Facade I think a story of illness would work best.
It’s unlikely that they will give you an unpaid extension, because it was not their fault that you didn’t use the gym during that time (unless you have some type of evidence that it was their fault, like if the gym was closed during a snow storm, or if they were closed due to re-modeling or repairs or adding new equipment, of if they changed their hours). You signed a contract.
There is the slightest possibility that they might give you a discounted extension if you can prove that you were incapacitated for those months and you were unable to use the gym for that reason, unless you knew you were incapacitated when you signed the contract (like if you had a broken leg or were in a wheel chair or hospital bound) and in that case, the problem would again be your fault. But they might take pity on you, if you got hurt or sick after you signed the contract.
By the way, how come you guys didn’t go back to the gym?
Definitely talk to them in person, and be super polite and friendly, either way it goes.
@Kardamom It’s a mixture of laziness, depression, and actual injuries. I do have a problem with my hip that (unlike my other issues) does inhibit me from walking, let alone working out. Maybe I’ll tell them that…
@Facade I think you would have to provide them with some kind of proof that you developed the hip injury after you signed up for the membership. And even then, I think they might only give you a discount for an extension.
Do you have a copy of the original contract? There is probably language in the small print that lists certain exceptions and what kinds of things are not considered valid reasons for a discount or refund.
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